Humanity has been fighting Polio for centuries; you can see how the ancient Egyptians have portrayed the disease by drawing children with disabilities and limping with a cane in their hands. Polio is a life-threatening disease that leaves the infected person with permanent disability. It mainly affects kids under five, so polio vaccination should be administered to small kids before age five.
Here’s all you need to know about Polio and how to keep your offspring safe from this deadly disease.
What Is Polio?
Poliomyelitis is a deadly virus that is most commonly known as Polio. It’s highly contagious and can leave the infected disabled for life. The virus attacks the nervous system and shows symptoms such as fever, muscle stiffness, vomiting, and general weakness, leading to paralysis.
Apart from paralyzing the limbs, Polio can also paralyze the muscles responsible for breathing and swallowing. Failing to treat Polio in time can result in death.
The reason why Polio is feared so much is that it is highly contagious. It spreads through human feces, sneezing, or coughing of an infected person.
Unfortunately, the virus spreads fast and without presenting evident symptoms, which is why it’s so hard to catch in its initial stages.
Symptoms Of Polio
The symptoms of Polio vary from person to person; some may have mild while others may experience severe symptoms. Symptoms of Polio are divided into the following categories,
Non-Paralytic Symptoms:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches and stiffness
- Headache
- Malais
Paralytic Symptoms:
- Severe muscle aches, stiffness and spasms
- Loss of reflexes
- Flaccid paralysis
In a nutshell, people who get Polio
- 1 in 100 are paralyzed
- 1 in every ten paralyzed dies due to paralyzes of vital muscles like the heart
- 1 in every two paralyzed patients is permanently paralyzed
Long-Term Effects Of Polio
Patients infected with non-paralytic forms of Polio have a higher chance of recovery. Even patients with more severe symptoms often recover well with proper treatment and physical therapy. However, there is a chance of contracting new disabilities even after surviving the worst of Polio.
There is a reason why Polio is termed a deadly virus, as Post-Polio Syndrome can leave the patient with weak muscles, fatigue, and muscle pain for life. Every affected patient has a 40% chance of contracting Post-Polio Syndrome.
Preventive Care
Washing hands thoroughly with soapy water can keep the virus from spreading. Washing hands every time after using the toilet, eating, or even touching your mouth can help eliminate germs and bacteria. Moreover, spreading awareness and urging people to get the Polio vaccine is also a huge help.
Treatment:
The easiest and simplest cure for Polio is the Polio Vaccination. There are many countries free of Polio because of the said vaccine. However, many developing countries like India and Pakistan are still facing and fighting the deadly virus.
Poor countries worldwide see a high rise in Polio infection during the summer and autumn. Administering the polio vaccine at an early age can eradicate the problem. The vaccine grants lifelong immunity against the disease.
Read Also:
